The SMOS instrument

MIRAS (Microwave Imaging Radiometer using Aperture Synthesis) is a completely new type of instrument - a radiometer that operates between 1400 and 1427 MHz (L-band). It consists of a central structure and three deployable arms, each of which has three segments. The 69 antenna-receiver elements (LICEFs) are distributed over the three arms and central structure. The image shows a detailed view a LICEF.